Put off vote, urges Thai poll panel

Bangkok, Jan. 27 (Reuters): Thailand’s Election Commission urged a delay in next week’s planned national vote, warning today of more bloodshed after violent clashes at the weekend.

That would drag out a festering crisis that risks splitting the country. The military, which has often stepped in to take control in the past, is resolutely staying out of the fray this time, despite appeals from anti-government protesters.

“As election officials, it is our job to make sure elections are successful, but we also need to make sure the country is peaceful enough to hold the election,” Somchai Srisutthiyakorn, an Election Commission member, told Reuters.